Pennsylvania Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Bunk Bed Collapses and Strikes Her on Head Aboard Carnival Conquest
Shaina Taylor-Brooks, a Pennsylvania resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The case, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24598-BB, stems from an incident aboard the Carnival Conquest in which an unsecured upper bunk bed allegedly fell from the cabin wall and struck Taylor-Brooks on the head shortly after boarding the vessel.
Passenger Injured by Upper Bunk Falling From Wall in Cabin Aboard Carnival Conquest
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on August 12, 2024, while the Carnival Conquest was in navigable waters on a four-night Bahamas cruise departing from Miami. Taylor-Brooks and her sister had just entered their assigned stateroom, Cabin 2440, when they lifted two upper bunk beds into their wall-mounted storage positions to sit on the lower beds. Although the bunks appeared to lock securely into place, one of them allegedly fell without warning as Taylor-Brooks sat down, striking her on the head and knocking her to the floor.
She immediately sought medical attention onboard and reported the incident. The lawsuit alleges that Carnival failed to provide a safe cabin environment and did not ensure that the bunk bed locking mechanisms were functional or secure.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Maintain and Inspect Bunk Bed Safety Mechanisms
The lawsuit claims that Carnival breached its duty of care by failing to maintain and inspect the upper bunk bed mechanisms. Specifically, Taylor-Brooks argues that Carnival should have ensured the beds locked securely when stored in the upright position and should have designed the system to prevent such collapses. The complaint emphasizes that passengers were not warned about the risk of bunk beds falling if lifted and left upright.
While Carnival had a small posted warning instructing passengers to “call attendant for assistance with the extra bed,” the plaintiff alleges this signage was insufficient to alert guests to the danger of bunk beds falling and causing injury.
Lawsuit Alleges Dangerous Cabin Design and Lack of Secure Locking Mechanisms
In addition to inadequate warnings, the complaint includes claims of negligent design and failure to eliminate a known hazard. Taylor-Brooks argues that the upper bunk beds lacked a reliable latching or locking mechanism to hold them in place once folded into the wall. The lawsuit states that the hazard was neither open nor obvious and that Carnival should have eliminated the risk through better design or regular maintenance protocols.
Plaintiff’s legal counsel contends that the failure to address this risk was especially egregious given that the hazard involved unsecured objects located directly above passenger sleeping and sitting areas.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Head Injury, Pain, and Loss of Enjoyment of Cruise
Taylor-Brooks alleges she suffered bodily injury, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and physical impairment. The injury is alleged to have caused lasting harm, including aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $75,000 for medical expenses, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of her cruise.
The complaint includes three counts of negligence against Carnival: negligent maintenance and inspection of the bunk beds, negligent failure to warn passengers of the risk, and failure to eliminate a foreseeable hazard in passenger cabins.
Hurt by Falling Objects or Unsafe Bunks on a Cruise Ship? Know Your Legal Rights
Cruise lines have a legal duty under maritime law to ensure that passenger cabins are free from dangerous and unexpected hazards, including improperly secured bunk beds or wall-mounted equipment. If you were injured by a falling object or unsafe fixture aboard a cruise ship, you may be entitled to compensation. Our legal team has experience pursuing claims against cruise lines for onboard injuries involving dangerous cabin conditions.
Contact our cruise injury attorneys today to learn more about your legal rights.
Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the plaintiff in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.
